Lyon Richardson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	.2
ERA	27
WHIP	4.5
BB/9	13.5
SO/9	13.5

Full name Lyon Richardson
Born 01/18/2000 in Jensen Beach, FL
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 207 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Jensen Beach
Drafted in the 2nd round (47th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 (signed for $1,997,500).

View Draft Report

An athletic two-way player who is committed to Florida, Richardson has shown explosive stuff on the mound this spring, getting his fastball into the 97-98 mph range. That sort of velocity has been inconsistent, however, as some scouts have also seen him in the 89-93 mph range, touching 94, with a breaking ball that's fringy and in between the shape of a curveball and slider. On other days, he'll pop those elite fastball velocities and also throw a plus, power curveball that lands in the low 80s. Because of his athleticism and pure stuff, he'll get a look from some teams in the second round, but he doesn't have the same track record or physical projection--he stands 6-foot-2, 185 pounds--as some of the other high-end high school arms in the class. He's been hitting with a wood bat this spring and could be a dynamic two-way player for the Gators as a switch-hitting outfielder and pitcher if he gets to Gainesville, although pro teams appear to prefer his upside on the mound.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade: 50/High

Track Record: Richardson’s return from Tommy John surgery was ... complicated. On one hand, he came into the year with no experience above Class A and he finished it in the majors. His fastball returned from 91-95 mph he’d shown in 2021 to the high 90s he showed in high school. On the other, he also gave up 31 runs and 30 walks in his final 31 innings between Triple-A Louisville and Cincinnati.

Scouting Report: Richardson is obviously much better than what he showed in his four MLB starts. He’s never been homer-prone before, but the way his average control disappeared in August was truly baffling. Even early in the season, Richardson’s command and control weren’t as sharp as pre-injury, but he went from missing by a few inches to missing by half a foot or more. Feel and command can often improve in the second year back from Tommy John surgery, so there’s hope that he can make significant improvements in 2024. There’s no complaints about how Richardson’s stuff returned. His four-seam plus fastball now sits at 96-98 mph as a starter, which made his already-effective high-80s changeup into a plus pitch. He sells it well with his arm speed, it has above-average depth and he throws it to lefties and righties. His below-average mid-80s slider has to get better. It’s too slow, and it’s a chase pitch that he can’t throw in the strike zone. He also throws a two-seamer and high-70s, below-average curve.

The Future: Richardson has the strength, build and deep pitch mix to be a starter, but it’s easy to find scouts who think his fastball/changeup combination and a refined slider would work even better with a move to the bullpen. As a reliever, he has the stuff to be a potential future closer.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 40 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Richardson looked to be one of the Reds more promising and athletic young pitchers after a solid 2019 season. He didn't seem the same after the coronavirus pandemic, as he struggled at High-A Dayton before going down with an elbow injury that needed Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2022 season, but returned in time for instructional league, where he showed better stuff than he had demonstrated in 2021.

Scouting Report: Richardson touched 99 mph in high school, but he generally sat 91-95 as a pro. In his shorter stints in instructional league, he was once again showing the high-90s velocity that seemed to have disappeared. It's too soon to say for sure that he can carry that stuff into longer outings, but his improved arm speed will help his average slider and curveball and above-average change be more effective. Richardson's control had backed up in 2021, but before the pandemic, he showed average control.

The Future: The Reds were enamored enough with Richardson's impressive return that they added him to the 40-man roster rather than risk exposing him to the Rule 5 draft. That's a pretty significant vote of confidence in a pitcher who has yet to pitch above Class A. He should head to Chattanooga in 2023. With a strong season, he could vault back into the top-tier of Reds' starting pitching prospects.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
TRACK RECORD: Richardson seemed on his way to being a two-way contributor at Florida, but he pitched his way into the second round out of high school by bringing his fastball into the upper 90s. Richardson struggled in his pro debut but bounced back with a reliable and durable season at low Class A Dayton in 2019. The Reds brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Richardson is a better athlete than most pitchers, but so far he has struggled to match the dominance he flashed as an amatuer. At the alternate site, his strike-throwing simply wasn't consistent enough to outwit more advanced hitters. Stuff-wise, he started to show the mid-90s velocity he'd flashed in high school more consistently, albeit in shorter stints. He generally sat 90-93 when he was taking the ball every fifth day in Dayton. In high school, Richardson's curveball showed power and depth. Now, it's a softer, potentially average pitch thrown in the mid 70s. His below-average changeup needs refinement. Despite a stiff delivery, Richardson could have average control but below-average command.

THE FUTURE: As a pro, Richardson's stuff has been more average than plus. He should head to high Class A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Richardson quickly rose in the 2018 draft class after he showed premium velocity on the mound. He was ticketed to go to Florida as a pitcher/outfielder, but his upper-90s fastball and projectable frame helped him go in the second round and land a nearly $2 million signing bonus. After an inconsistent pro debut, Richardson took the ball every fifth day for low Class A Dayton and tied for the Midwest League lead with 26 starts.

SCOUTING REPORT: Richardson can run his fastball up to 95 mph but generally sits in the low 90s with the ability to throw it for strikes. He consistently attacks hitters and doesn't back down regardless of the situation. His low-tomid- 70s curveball has good spin with late depth, and he has shown the ability to land it in the lower part of the strike zone as an above-average pitch. As with many other prep draftees, Richardson's changeup is his third pitch, but it could develop into an average offering with improved arm speed. He is highly athletic and throws strikes with above-average control. Richardson has a frame built to log innings, although evaluators are split how much projection is left.

THE FUTURE: Richardson is set to open 2020 at high Class A Daytona. His arm strength, athleticism and control give him a shot at developing into a mid-to-back of the rotation starter.
Track Record: Richardson was one of the fastest risers in the 2018 draft class after some electric outings helped him rise out of sleeper status. Richardson was slated to head to Florida as a righthander and outfielder before he blew up last spring. He flashed a 97-98 mph fastball at his best, but his velocity and the quality of his stuff varied significantly. In his pro debut, the Reds rarely saw the dominating stuff he showed in the spring. Scouts said he looked raw and worn down in the Appalachian League.

Scouting Report: Richardson is athletic and has plenty of arm strength with a projectable frame that is built for innings. He showed little ability to locate his fastball gloveside in his pro debut and his curveball flashed average, rather than the plus breaker he would land occasionally in high school. Richardson has a very fast, live arm and gets downhill plane on his 92-94 mph fastball that touches 97. Richardson's delivery is a little stiff, but he has the athleticism and strength to develop average control. Like many young pitchers, Richardson's changeup needs development, but he throws it with similar arm speed and it grades as future average.

The Future: Richardson is still very raw and may not be ready for the jump to the Midwest League. His frame, athleticism and fast arm give him a chance to develop into a back-end starter.

Draft Prospects

An athletic two-way player who is committed to Florida, Richardson has shown explosive stuff on the mound this spring, getting his fastball into the 97-98 mph range. That sort of velocity has been inconsistent, however, as some scouts have also seen him in the 89-93 mph range, touching 94, with a breaking ball that's fringy and in between the shape of a curveball and slider. On other days, he'll pop those elite fastball velocities and also throw a plus, power curveball that lands in the low 80s. Because of his athleticism and pure stuff, he'll get a look from some teams in the second round, but he doesn't have the same track record or physical projection--he stands 6-foot-2, 185 pounds--as some of the other high-end high school arms in the class. He's been hitting with a wood bat this spring and could be a dynamic two-way player for the Gators as a switch-hitting outfielder and pitcher if he gets to Gainesville, although pro teams appear to prefer his upside on the mound.

Minor League Top Prospects

An ultra-athletic two-way player in high school, Richardson's stock shot up tremendously when he started getting into the upper 90s with his fastball in the spring. The Reds gambled on that upside in the second round and his pro debut showed that there's a long way still to go for the 18-year-old righthander. He's got very limited experience pitching, let alone focusing full-time on the craft, so there's plenty of crudeness in his game--as evidenced by his statistical results--including a stiff front side and issues getting his fastball to the glove side consistently. His fastball was mostly in the 89-94 mph range and his other pitches projected as just average, but some scouts noted that he looked tired; and coming out of Florida as a prep player that isn't too surprising given the length of the high school season. Certainly a rocky debut, but there's still plenty of talent and projection left with Richardson to get excited about what he can do with a fresh start in 2019.

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Richardson looked to be one of the Reds more promising and athletic young pitchers after a solid 2019 season. He didn't seem the same after the coronavirus pandemic, as he struggled at High-A Dayton before going down with an elbow injury that needed Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2022 season, but returned in time for instructional league, where he showed better stuff than he had demonstrated in 2021.

Scouting Report: Richardson touched 99 mph in high school, but he generally sat 91-95 as a pro. In his shorter stints in instructional league, he was once again showing the high-90s velocity that seemed to have disappeared. It's too soon to say for sure that he can carry that stuff into longer outings, but his improved arm speed will help his average slider and curveball and above-average change be more effective. Richardson's control had backed up in 2021, but before the pandemic, he showed average control.

The Future: The Reds were enamored enough with Richardson's impressive return that they added him to the 40-man roster rather than risk exposing him to the Rule 5 draft. That's a pretty significant vote of confidence in a pitcher who has yet to pitch above Class A. He should head to Chattanooga in 2023. With a strong season, he could vault back into the top-tier of Reds' starting pitching prospects.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: Richardson looked to be one of the Reds more promising and athletic young pitchers after a solid 2019 season. He didn't seem the same after the coronavirus pandemic, as he struggled at High-A Dayton before going down with an elbow injury that needed Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2022 season, but returned in time for instructional league, where he showed better stuff than he had demonstrated in 2021.

Scouting Report: Richardson touched 99 mph in high school, but he generally sat 91-95 as a pro. In his shorter stints in instructional league, he was once again showing the high-90s velocity that seemed to have disappeared. It's too soon to say for sure that he can carry that stuff into longer outings, but his improved arm speed will help his average slider and curveball and above-average change be more effective. Richardson's control had backed up in 2021, but before the pandemic, he showed average control.

The Future: The Reds were enamored enough with Richardson's impressive return that they added him to the 40-man roster rather than risk exposing him to the Rule 5 draft. That's a pretty significant vote of confidence in a pitcher who has yet to pitch above Class A. He should head to Chattanooga in 2023. With a strong season, he could vault back into the top-tier of Reds' starting pitching prospects.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 55. Curveball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Control: 50.
TRACK RECORD: Richardson seemed on his way to being a two-way contributor at Florida, but he pitched his way into the second round out of high school by bringing his fastball into the upper 90s. Richardson struggled in his pro debut but bounced back with a reliable and durable season at low Class A Dayton in 2019. The Reds brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Richardson is a better athlete than most pitchers, but so far he has struggled to match the dominance he flashed as an amatuer. At the alternate site, his strike-throwing simply wasn't consistent enough to outwit more advanced hitters. Stuff-wise, he started to show the mid-90s velocity he'd flashed in high school more consistently, albeit in shorter stints. He generally sat 90-93 when he was taking the ball every fifth day in Dayton. In high school, Richardson's curveball showed power and depth. Now, it's a softer, potentially average pitch thrown in the mid 70s. His below-average changeup needs refinement. Despite a stiff delivery, Richardson could have average control but below-average command.

THE FUTURE: As a pro, Richardson's stuff has been more average than plus. He should head to high Class A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Richardson seemed on his way to being a two-way contributor at Florida, but he pitched his way into the second round out of high school by bringing his fastball into the upper 90s. Richardson struggled in his pro debut but bounced back with a reliable and durable season at low Class A Dayton in 2019. The Reds brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Richardson is a better athlete than most pitchers, but so far he has struggled to match the dominance he flashed as an amatuer. At the alternate site, his strike-throwing simply wasn't consistent enough to outwit more advanced hitters. Stuff-wise, he started to show the mid-90s velocity he'd flashed in high school more consistently, albeit in shorter stints. He generally sat 90-93 when he was taking the ball every fifth day in Dayton. In high school, Richardson's curveball showed power and depth. Now, it's a softer, potentially average pitch thrown in the mid 70s. His below-average changeup needs refinement. Despite a stiff delivery, Richardson could have average control but below-average command.

THE FUTURE: As a pro, Richardson's stuff has been more average than plus. He should head to high Class A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Richardson seemed on his way to being a two-way contributor at Florida, but he pitched his way into the second round out of high school by bringing his fastball into the upper 90s. Richardson struggled in his pro debut but bounced back with a reliable and durable season at low Class A Dayton in 2019. The Reds brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Richardson is a better athlete than most pitchers, but so far he has struggled to match the dominance he flashed as an amatuer. At the alternate site, his strike-throwing simply wasn't consistent enough to outwit more advanced hitters. Stuff-wise, he started to show the mid-90s velocity he'd flashed in high school more consistently, albeit in shorter stints. He generally sat 90-93 when he was taking the ball every fifth day in Dayton. In high school, Richardson's curveball showed power and depth. Now, it's a softer, potentially average pitch thrown in the mid 70s. His below-average changeup needs refinement. Despite a stiff delivery, Richardson could have average control but below-average command.

THE FUTURE: As a pro, Richardson's stuff has been more average than plus. He should head to high Class A in 2021.
TRACK RECORD: Richardson quickly rose in the 2018 draft class after he showed premium velocity on the mound. He was ticketed to go to Florida as a pitcher/outfielder, but his upper-90s fastball and projectable frame helped him go in the second round and land a nearly $2 million signing bonus. After an inconsistent pro debut, Richardson took the ball every fifth day for low Class A Dayton and tied for the Midwest League lead with 26 starts.

SCOUTING REPORT: Richardson can run his fastball up to 95 mph but generally sits in the low 90s with the ability to throw it for strikes. He consistently attacks hitters and doesn’t back down regardless of the situation. His low-tomid- 70s curveball has good spin with late depth, and he has shown the ability to land it in the lower part of the strike zone as an above-average pitch. As with many other prep draftees, Richardson’s changeup is his third pitch, but it could develop into an average offering with improved arm speed. He is highly athletic and throws strikes with above-average control. Richardson has a frame built to log innings, although evaluators are split how much projection is left.

THE FUTURE: Richardson is set to open 2020 at high Class A Daytona. His arm strength, athleticism and control give him a shot at developing into a mid-to-back of the rotation starter.
TRACK RECORD: Richardson quickly rose in the 2018 draft class after he showed premium velocity on the mound. He was ticketed to go to Florida as a pitcher/outfielder, but his upper-90s fastball and projectable frame helped him go in the second round and land a nearly $2 million signing bonus. After an inconsistent pro debut, Richardson took the ball every fifth day for low Class A Dayton and tied for the Midwest League lead with 26 starts.

SCOUTING REPORT: Richardson can run his fastball up to 95 mph but generally sits in the low 90s with the ability to throw it for strikes. He consistently attacks hitters and doesn't back down regardless of the situation. His low-tomid- 70s curveball has good spin with late depth, and he has shown the ability to land it in the lower part of the strike zone as an above-average pitch. As with many other prep draftees, Richardson's changeup is his third pitch, but it could develop into an average offering with improved arm speed. He is highly athletic and throws strikes with above-average control. Richardson has a frame built to log innings, although evaluators are split how much projection is left.

THE FUTURE: Richardson is set to open 2020 at high Class A Daytona. His arm strength, athleticism and control give him a shot at developing into a mid-to-back of the rotation starter.